Skip to main content

The 10 Best Design Hotels in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Check out our pick of great boutique hotels in Kota Kinabalu

Filter by:


Review score

Superb: 9+ Very good: 8+ Good: 7+ Pleasant: 6+
Our top picks Lowest price first Star rating and price Top reviewed

See the latest prices and deals by choosing your dates.

Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu is located in Kota Kinabalu and is 240 metres from Atkinson Clock Tower. Offering modern guest rooms, it also provides free WiFi in the room and an on-site restaurant.

The air-conditioned rooms are fitted with a flat-screen satellite TV which includes Chinese channels and an electric kettle. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer.

It was a more luxurious hotel than I thought it would be because it was not expensive at all.

Show more Show less
8.1
Very good
1,194 reviews
Price from
£26
per night

Featuring 2 dining options and an infinity pool at the rooftop, C'haya Hotel offers modern guest rooms in Kota Kinabalu. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Tanjung Aru Beach is 1.5 km from the property.

Very close to airport and to the beach, the room was very big and nicely equipped.

Show more Show less
8
Very good
1,382 reviews
Price from
£34
per night

Boasting 4 dining options and an outdoor swimming pool, Horizon Hotel is located in Kota Kinabalu. The property is a 5-minute walk to Gaya Street and offers elegant, air-conditioned guest rooms . Free WiFi is accessible throughout and free parking is provided.

Breakfast, pool, nice room, gym

Show more Show less
8.3
Very good
2,051 reviews
Price from
£52
per night

Hotel Shangri-la Kota Kinabalu offers accommodations with views of Kota Kinabalu and the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Guests can enjoy meals at the in-house restaurant or have a drink at the bar. Free WiFi is available in all rooms.

Big spacious and comfortable rooms

Show more Show less
8.2
Very good
1,681 reviews
Price from
£31
per night

Surrounded by landscaped gardens and spacious outdoor pools, The Magellan Sutera Resort features tastefully decorated guest rooms and suites in Kota Kinabalu. This luxury resort is a short distance away from Sutera Harbour Marina and Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club. Free WiFi is accessible in all areas and free parking is provided for guests who drive.

All the atmosphere. Good Views and good service. I stayed a wonderful night with my husband. Thankyou!

Show more Show less
8.4
Very good
1,545 reviews
Price from
£105
per night

Set atop One Place Mall, Pan Borneo Hotel Kota Kinabalu offers elegant guest rooms with free WiFi throughout. It features an outdoor swimming pool and 2 dining options.

Guest enjoy affordable airport transfer to and from Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Hotel

Nice pool...son really enjoyed it..

Show more Show less
8.2
Very good
621 reviews
Price from
£38
per night

Located within Gaya Street Sunday Market, Mandarin Hotel Kota Kinabalu offers air-conditioned guest rooms. Free WiFi is accessible throughout the property.

All rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV. The en suite bathroom comes with a shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. Some rooms have a seating area.

Booked by my husband for our travel from Seoul to KK. Was a nice surprise, beautiful wallpapers and clean rooms. When we reached from Airport at 4 am, the staffs were there and we checked in without any problems. Vincent, one of the staff, was very helpful. He arranged a one day trip plan for us to go around Kundasang. This hotel is also just next door to Gaya Market, and walking distance to many eateries. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and hope to repeat our trip next time 👍🏻

Show more Show less
8.5
Very good
181 reviews
Price from
£29
per night

A 3 star hotel situated in the heart of beautiful Kota Kinabalu that offers a modern comfort, simple & value on every guest stay. Oceania Hotel offers 69 guest room including 1 Suite with all essential amenities for refreshing experience and committed to ensure that every guest’s stay is as comfortable as possible.

Good job to all receptionist that work on 13 September to 14 September. ❤️👏 They are so friendly, soft spoken and love to smile. Moreover, I appreciate the housekeeping also. They asking guest politely and service my extend room very well. ❤️ I really enjoyed my stay here. Thank you so much, guys 👏❤️ @sorryforlatereview @checkinon13septemberto14september

Show more Show less
8.1
Very good
258 reviews
Price from
£33
per night

Set in Kota Kinabalu city centre, The Klagan Hotel features modern air-conditioned guest rooms with free WiFi throughout. The property has a restaurant and is 350 metres from Kota Kinabalu Waterfront.

Decorated with natural colors, every room is fitted with a flat-screen satellite TV. The en suite bathroom includes free toiletries and a shower, while some rooms have a bathub. For your comfort, newspaper is delivered daily and bottled mineral water is provided.

room are exactly like what we re paying. locations is very near to the shopping mall Centrepoint and walking distance to Philippine markets

Show more Show less
8.1
Very good
153 reviews
Price from
£58
per night

Only a few steps from Gaya Street Sunday Market, Hotel Sixty3 offers elegantly decorated, air conditioned guest rooms in Kota Kinabalu. Free WiFi is accessible throughout the property.

Every room is fitted with modern furnishings and features a flat-screen satellite TV. For your comfort, an electric kettle is available. The en suite bathroom comes with a shower and free toiletries. Some rooms have a separate dining and seating areas.

Hotel Sixty3 seems fine in every respect.

Show more Show less
8.7
Fabulous
496 reviews
Price from
£65
per night

Looking for a boutique hotel?

These hotels offer something a little different in the way of design and usually sit in a trendy, urban part of town. More intimate than your average hotel, they offer high standards with a homely vibe.
Search boutique hotels in Kota Kinabalu

Most booked boutique hotels in Kota Kinabalu this month

Boutique hotels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

  • Avg. price/night: £100.62
    8.5
    Scored 8.5
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 900 reviews
    We absolutely loved everything about this hotel. It’s truly stunning! The design, the furnishings, the staff, it was all wonderful! The pool area is gorgeous! Cafe BOLEN : Breakfast & dinner were delicious. Food is plentiful and fresh. For the price, it is excellent value. The staff were so friendly and nice. Special thanks - Sanipa , Wahab , Hamizan .
    И
    ИРИНА
    Young couple
  • 8.8
    Scored 8.8
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 254 reviews
    Very spacious, can fit a whole family as such an affordable price. The beach is just a walking distance. Interior design is comfortable
    Azraai
    Group
  • Avg. price/night: £114.09
    9.1
    Scored 9.1
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 668 reviews
    Lovely pool, great design/style, good location, very clean and well-maintained property (new facility).
    Benjamin
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: £20.74
    8.5
    Scored 8.5
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 627 reviews
    clean, spacious house. aesthetic interior design. affordable price.
    Mohamad Yuzlan Bin Mohamad Yusup
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: £55.13
    8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 256 reviews
    The interior design after renovation is very gorgeous. Pool is great as it is always under the shade
    Audrey Joan
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: £59.87
    8.8
    Scored 8.8
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,004 reviews
    The design and layout of the hotel is very stylish, modern and sleek. The staff are extremely accommodating and helpful - we had an early flight and they gave a lovely breakfast packaged to go. Loved our stay.
    R
    Roshni
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: £55.19
    8.5
    Scored 8.5
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 122 reviews
    Location Home decoration Stylish interior design Friendly host / admin Lift nearby go down shopping mall within 3 mins
    KimSheah
    People with friends
  • Avg. price/night: £59.87
    8.8
    Scored 8.8
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,004 reviews
    We originally booked for 3 nights but ended up with 8 nights. Hotel has that cool, modern boutique vibe about it. Furnishings were of high quality, spacious, staff were well trained and the design of the hotel is just gorgeous. The location was a short walking distance to Imago, convenient stores and cafes / restaurants. This will be our go-to hotel in KK now. Special mention to Linda from Reservation who is went out of her way to accommodate our wish.
    Marie
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £35.71
    8.8
    Scored 8.8
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,450 reviews
    absolutely stunning design! free coffee 18+lounge with many activities beautiful rooms, lots of space great wifi wonderful and helpful staff gorgeous mural staircase fantastic singer for the evening chill
    Šárka
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £37.42
    9.5
    Scored 9.5
    Exceptional
    Rated exceptional
     · 368 reviews
    Generous hospitality and luxury interior design
    Adiela
    Young couple

Research, refine and make plans for your whole trip